July 12, 2026 to July 18, 2026

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news coverings foreign affairs and international relations. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Advancing America First Foreign Policy: UN Accountability and Reform: The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on July 22, 2026, on United Nations accountability and burden sharing, featuring testimony from US State Department representatives.
• Senate Foreign Relations Business Meeting on State Department Nominations: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will meet on July 22, 2026, to consider multiple Department of State nominations, including ambassadorial and assistant secretary appointments.
• Confronting Haiti’s Terrorist Gangs: Gang Suppression Force Review: On July 21, 2026, the House Foreign Affairs Committee will hear from State Department and Department of War officials regarding US policy responses to Haiti’s gang violence.
• Countering China's Global Shipbuilding Dominance: The House Foreign Affairs East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee will hold a hearing on July 22, 2026, examining strategies to counter China's role in global shipbuilding.

Federal Government News

Regulatory Relief for Chemical Manufacturing Security

President Trump issued a proclamation on July 13, 2026, granting a two-year exemption to select chemical manufacturing facilities from compliance with the EPA's May 2024 HON Rule, which imposed new emissions-control requirements. The announcement cited challenges regarding the practical availability and safety of the required technologies, stating that compliance would have demanded significant investments and potential facility shutdowns. The exemption applies to facilities named in Annex I of the proclamation, allowing them to operate under prior standards and is justified on the grounds of national security and technological feasibility. Facilities affected include those supporting semiconductors, medical devices, and national defense, among others.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

Continuation of National Emergency on Hostage-Taking and Detention of US Nationals Abroad

The national emergency concerning hostage-taking and wrongful detention of US nationals overseas, declared via Executive Order 14078 in July 2022, will remain in effect for an additional year beyond July 19, 2026. The extension was ordered by the President on July 13, 2026, citing ongoing threats posed by terrorist organizations, criminal groups, and foreign states using detention for leverage. This action includes continued measures under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and will be reported to Congress.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Trump Administration Launches Global Campaign Against Radical Left Terrorism

The Trump Administration initiated a global campaign targeting Radical Left terrorism, formally designating groups such as Antifa as domestic terrorist organizations and restricting funding streams. Secretary of State Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent detailed heightened international coordination, measures against encrypted communications, and actions to disrupt illicit financing. Homeland Security Advisor Miller stated that civil liberties claims were considered deceptive, only serving to obstruct counter-terror strategies. Targets include networks, propaganda operations, and international funding mechanisms linked to left-wing political violence.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Declassification of Intelligence on Foreign Election Interference

President Trump delivered a primetime address and issued declassified materials revealing foreign interference in US elections, with specifics including China’s reported hacking of 220 million US voter files and alleged Venezuelan methods for undetectable vote manipulation. Intelligence agencies were accused of suppressing this information, and vulnerabilities in mail-in voting and non-citizen registrations were noted. The releases detailed claims of shadow government activity within the FBI, forged voter registrations, and called for legislative remedies such as the SAVE America Act. The information included recommendations for further investigations and highlighted the bipartisan nature of election security concerns.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

OFAC Sanctions Actions Targeting Cyberenabled Threats and Entities

The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced new sanctions targeting individuals and entities involved in cyber-enabled activities, including ransomware attacks, and updates to existing entries on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List. Those sanctioned include Ukrainian and Belarusian nationals, as well as First VPN Service based in Dnipro, Ukraine, implicated in supporting technological infrastructure for these threats. Property and interests under US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are prohibited from transacting with listed individuals. The actions are conducted pursuant to Executive Orders tied to national security and anti-terrorism policies.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

Renewal of Department of Defense Advisory Committee: National Security Education Board

The Department of Defense announced the renewal of its National Security Education Board (NSEB) as a non-discretionary Federal advisory committee. The board comprises senior officials from various departments and presidential appointees with expertise in international, language, area, and counterproliferation studies education. Members serve up to four years and may submit statements on the NSEB's mission and functions to the designated federal officer.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Continuation of National Emergency on Significant Transnational Criminal Organizations

On July 13, 2026, the President ordered the national emergency concerning significant transnational criminal organizations, originally declared in Executive Order 13581 (July 24, 2011), to continue for an additional year. The action responds to evolving organizational tactics and continued threats to US security, foreign policy, and economic interests. Additional steps had previously been taken via Executive Order 13863 in 2019 to expand measures against these networks.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Launch of GOLD EAGLE Cybersecurity Initiative

The White House launched the GOLD EAGLE initiative, a federally coordinated cybersecurity clearinghouse tasked with detecting and prioritizing vulnerabilities across critical infrastructure. Established under Executive Order 14409, the program uses advanced AI for exploit detection and involves collaboration among Treasury, DHS, CISA, Department of War, and private sector partners. GOLD EAGLE aims to reduce redundant scanning and provide actionable threat data for government and industry defenders.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Agency Information Collection: Foreign Gifts and Contracts Disclosures

The Department of Education announced a correction to submission deadlines for public comments regarding its information collection activities covering foreign gifts and contract disclosures. The deadline was updated from June 29, 2026, to July 29, 2026, for public input, following a prior notice.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Insider Threat Incident Reporting Tool Under OMB Review

The TSA requested OMB approval for a new Insider Threat Incident Reporting Tool, permitting federal users to report information on potential insider threats. The system is intended for persons with authorized access to Department of Homeland Security facilities and networks and aligns with DHS Directive 262-05. The estimated annual burden is 52 hours for approximately 312 respondents.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

OFAC Requests Public Comments Related to Trade Complaint

The US International Trade Commission issued notice of receipt of complaints concerning mobile electronic devices and melanoma predictive and prognostic tests, requesting public comments on any health, welfare, competitive, or consumer issues related to requested remedial orders. Respondents include major international companies; stakeholders may submit written comments electronically via the Commission's Electronic Document Information System.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027

Bill: 8595. This appropriations bill for national security and related programs had its motion to reconsider laid on the table and was agreed to without objection.

Sources: www.congress.gov

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027

Bill: 4784. The Senate made a motion to proceed to consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Less Bureaucracy, Better International Foreign Gift Transparency Act

Bill: 9602. Ordered to be reported (amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 16, focusing on international foreign gift transparency and reducing administrative complexity.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To impose sanctions and other measures with respect to the Russian Federation

Bill: 5025. Read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs for consideration of new sanctions against Russia.

Sources: www.congress.gov

A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, regarding foreign economic espionage

Bill: 5024. Read twice and referred to the Judiciary Committee. The bill designates any entity domiciled in a foreign adversary country as a foreign instrumentality for economic espionage purposes.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Trump’s Man in Canada Practices a No-Holds-Barred Diplomacy: US Ambassador to Canada employs aggressive negotiation tactics impacting bilateral relations.
• Opinion | The House Vote on Israel Echoes Past Betrayals: Analysis of House vote on Israel arms sales and its historical context.
• Opinion | Rubio Takes On the International Criminal Court: Senator Rubio challenges US alignment with the International Criminal Court, proposing legislative alternatives.
• Ousted defence minister lays bare rift at heart of Ukraine's war effort: Ukraine's defense leadership change exposes internal disputes in military strategy.
• Aspiring to Regional Domination, Iran Is Ready to Escalate Over Hormuz: Iran prepares for escalation in the Strait of Hormuz to assert regional dominance.
• ASEAN outreach may give Myanmar leaders legitimacy without results: ASEAN engagement with Myanmar risks recognizing leadership without tangible political change.
• Iran-U.S. Talks: How 4 Negotiators Would Approach Diplomacy: Four diplomats outline approaches for renewed Iran-US negotiations amid regional tensions.
• Trump Faces the Limits of U.S. Firepower and the Lessons of Past Wars: President Trump confronts constraints in military engagement with insights from previous conflicts.

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